The Iceland Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Asdis Bjarnadottir, led a delegation comprising visiting Members of Parliament, including Dilja Mist Einarsdottir, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Logi Einarsonon, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Icelandic Parliament, and Elin Rosa Sigurdardottir, Director General of the International Development Cooperation Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Iceland, on a courtesy call visit to the newly elected Speaker of Parliament, Hon Segepoh Solomon Thomas, and the Leadership of Parliament on Friday, May 3rd, 2024.
The meeting, held at the Speaker’s Board Room in the Parliament Building at Tower Hill, Freetown, focused on a wide range of bilateral issues aimed at fostering development for mutual benefits.
Her Excellency Asdis Bjarnadottir expressed Iceland’s interest in deepening bilateral ties with Sierra Leone, particularly in areas such as fishing, renewable energy, and support for the implementation of the country’s medium-term national development plan and gender empowerment efforts. She highlighted Iceland’s success in becoming self-sufficient in the 1980s through fishing and economic diversification, emphasizing the potential for similar development in Sierra Leone.
Dilja Mist, head of the Icelandic Parliament delegation, echoed Iceland’s journey to economic stability and emphasized the importance of strong measures and value addition in the fisheries sector for Sierra Leone to realize its potential.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, highlighted the challenges faced by Sierra Leone’s fishing communities, including illegal fishing and issues with exporting fish to the European Union market. He emphasized the potential mutual benefits of bilateral collaboration, particularly in supporting the country’s Feed Salone flagship program.
Logi Einarsonon emphasized the importance of strong measures and controls over Sierra Leone’s natural resources, along with promoting gender empowerment policies.
Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma, emphasized Sierra Leone’s progress in democracy and its rich tourist attractions beyond the coastal areas.
Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon. Dickson Rogers, raised concerns about monitoring mechanisms in the fishing industry and suggested stronger measures to ensure Sierra Leone benefits from its natural resources.
Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, expressed interest in bilateral support and suggested exploring investment alternatives for the country’s fisheries and mineral resources.
The Leadership of Parliament collectively asked the Iceland Team to consider finding an investor to manage fishing activities while ensuring benefits for Sierra Leone.
The Iceland team assured continued support and communication to find lasting solutions to fishing-related challenges for mutual benefit.
